Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi and protozoa. This discipline includes fundamental research on the biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, ecology, evolution and clinical aspects of microorganisms, including the host response to these agents.

As scientists from Münster University, in collaboration with the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, have now demonstrated, toilets at airports are also a “transfer point” for germs. These include germs against which traditional antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infections are not, or only partially, effective.Münster (mfm/sm) – Everyday life at an airport: there’s still time before the jet taking passengers to faraway countries takes off – time enough for a quick visit to the toilet. What awaits passengers there is not always a pleasant sight. However, what they don’t see can be much worse. As scientists from Münster University, in collaboration with the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, have now demonstrated, toilets at airports are also a “transfer point” for germs.

Arming CRISPR/Cas systems with an enzyme that also controls the translation of genetic information into protein. CRISPR/Cas systems are known as promising “gene scissors” in the genome editing of plants, animals, and microorganisms by targeting specific regions in their DNA – and perhaps they can even be used to correct genetic defects.

Moisture can destroy mortar over time – for example when cracks form as a result of frost. A team of scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has found an unusual way to protect mortar from moisture: When the material is being mixed, they add a biofilm – a soft, moist substance produced by bacteria.

Oliver Lieleg usually has little to do with bricks, mortar and concrete. As a professor of biomechanics at the Institute of Medical Engineering (IMETUM) and the Department of Mechanical Engineering, he mainly deals with biopolymer-based hydrogels or, to put it bluntly, slime formed by living organisms.These include bacterial biofilms, such as dental plaque and the slimy black coating that forms in sewage pipes. “Biofilms are generally considered undesirable and harmful. They are something you want to get rid of,” says Oliver Lieleg. “I was therefore excited to find a beneficial use for them.”

At the margins of oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) at ultralow oxygen concentrations, aerobic ammonium and nitrite oxidizers compete for nitrogen with anaerobic microorganisms. Thus they play an important but so far overlooked role in controlling nitrogen loss in OMZs.

Early detection of antibiotic resistant pathogens can be life-saving. DZIF-scientists at the Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, University of Cologne, have developed an antibody-based diagnostic test, which can identify carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria in only 10 minutes – in a process similar to a pregnancy test.

Sequencing data from biological samples such as the skin, intestinal tissues, or soil and water are usually archived in public databases. This allows researchers from all over the globe to access them. However, this has led to the creation of extremely large quantities of data. To be able to explore all these data, new evaluation methods are necessary. Scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a bioinformatics tool which allows to search all bacterial sequences in databases in just a few mouse clicks and find similarities or check whether a particular sequence exists.

Biofilms are generally seen as a problem to be eradicated due to the hazards they pose for humans and materials. However, these communities of algae, fungi, or bacteria possess interesting properties both from a scientific and a technical standpoint. A team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) describes processes from the field of biology that utilize biofilms as ‘construction workers’ to create structural templates for new materials that possess the properties of natural materials. In the past, this was only possible to a limited extent.

Scientists of the Research Center caesar in Bonn, an Institute of the Max Planck Society, developed a new biosensor, which allows to measure nanomolar levels of the second messenger cAMP. The sensor makes it possible to study cAMP signaling with high precision, even in subcellular compartments. Using this new biosensor, the scientists of the Minerva Max Planck Research Group “Molecular Physiology“ headed by Dagmar Wachten and of the Department “Molecular Sensory Systems” headed by Benjamin Kaupp revealed how the production of cAMP is regulated in the flagella of sperm cells from mice.

DNA profiles can reveal a number of details about individuals. There are laws in place that regulate the trade of gene data. However, these laws do not apply to an equally relevant type of genetic data, so-called microRNAs. This means that anonymity needs to be strictly maintained in microRNA studies as well. Researchers from the Research Center for IT Security, CISPA, have now been able to show that a few microRNA molecules are sufficient to draw conclusions about study participants. The computer scientists will be presenting their means of attack, and appropriate countermeasures, at the Cebit computer fair in Hannover (Hall 6, Stand C47).

Technological advances are making the analysis of single bacterial infected human cells feasible, Würzburg researchers have used this technology to provide new insight into the Salmonella infection process. The study has just been published in “Nature Microbiology”. Infectious diseases are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. The development of novel therapies or vaccines requires improved understanding of how viruses, pathogenic fungi or bacteria cause illnesses.

Malignant cancer cells not only proliferate faster than most body cells. They are also more dependent on the most important cellular garbage disposal unit, the proteasome, which degrades defective proteins. Therapies for some types of cancer exploit this dependence: Patients are treated with inhibitors, which block the proteasome. The ensuing pile-up of junk overwhelms the cancer cell, ultimately killing it. Scientists have now succeeded in determining the human proteasome’s 3D structure in unprecedented detail and have deciphered the mechanism by which inhibitors block the proteasome. Their results will pave the way to develop more effective proteasome inhibitors for cancer therapy.

For the first time in history, the Health Business Connect - a two-day meeting for companies from the high-tech sector with the focus on medical technology was held in Besançon at the modern facility of TEMIS Technology Park. The event was organized by the IVAM Microtechnology Network and its French partner network Pôle des Microtechniques (PMT).

The main purpose of this event was to promote more cooperation between medical manufacturing companies and other companies related to that field. Furthermore, new developments and regulations in the medical sector were discussed as well as possibilities and the exchange of experience how to enter the medical market.

The first day started with a lunch and a guided tour at the Statice Headquarters. During lunch the first contacts between the participants already took place. The whole atmosphere at Statice was friendly and familiar. After lunch the whole group was driven to the technology center TEMIS where the rest of the Health Business Connect event was held.

Lunch at Statice Headquarters, picture provided by IVAM.

The next 3 hours manufacturers of components for medical devices gave presentations on subjects such as data sharing with clients, new governmental regulations for medical devices and the protection of intellectual property. After every presentation there was room for discussions between device manufacturers and the component manufacturers. At 17:30 femto-st, the well-known microtechnology research institute from France held a presentation about its current projects. The presentation was followed by a guided tour through the different clean room laboratories at TEMIS.

Presentations at Temis, picture provided by IVAM

The evening program started at 19:30 with a get together dinner at “Chez Elle”, a restaurant near the Hôtel All Suites in Besançon. During the exquisite meals the participants where changing places so each and every participant had the possibility to network with each other.

Networking dinner at Chez Elle, picture provided by IVAM

The second day started at TEMIS with company pitches, followed by almost hundred B2B meetings between the participants. Nanobay was actively participating in these meetings to interact with the component manufacturers and the device manufacturers.

Networking at TEMIS, picture provided by IVAM

Overall, the Health Business Connect was a huge success; more than 50 companies from 10 different countries were giving talks and actively participating at this event. Nanobay was introduced to the medical device and component manufacturers in France and Germany.

Health Business Connect Group Photo provided by IVAM

PMT and IVAM are already planning the follow-up conference at Dortmund, Germany next year.

Information about IVAM

IVAM is an international association consisting of companies and institutes from the fields microtechnology, nanotechnology, new materials, MEMS, optics and photonics. The association was founded 1995. Currently the IVAM has more than 200 companies and institutes as members, mainly small- and medium-sized enterprises.

The central mission of the association is to create synergies and to support its members in exchanging knowledge, initiating joint projects and networking with each other and potential customers. IVAM organizes workshops, business round tables and networking events. In addition, business platforms are organized in trade shows for example at the COMPAMED in Dusseldorf. IVAM helps with extensive press and public relations and supports its members abroad.

To transfer genes exclusively into the patient’s therapy relevant cells is in the focus of current research approaches in gene therapy. Researchers of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut have succeeded in modifying envelope proteins of Nipah virus (NiV) and to combine them with lentiviruses in such a way that they can now be used for a highly selective and efficient gene transfer to selected cells. Another advantage of these new vectors is that they can be produced at higher yields, which is required for clinical applications. PLOS Pathogens reports on these research results in its online edition of 09.06.2016.